Before I could decide whether to push him for more answers, Lukas turned away. He walked to the massive desk and picked up a file, flipping it open like our conversation hadn't just shifted the ground under my feet.
"You'll be staying here tonight," he said without looking at me. "I'll have someone bring you dry clothes."
I frowned. "Here? In this office?"
"In the penthouse upstairs." His tone was clipped, all business. "It's secure."
That word—secure—should have made me feel better. It didn't.
The door opened and a woman in her late thirties stepped in. Perfectly styled blond hair, navy pencil skirt, heels that clicked against the marble floor. She glanced at me briefly, her eyes cool, before turning to Lukas.
"It's ready," she said.
Lukas gave a short nod. "Take her up."
Her gaze flicked to me again, as if assessing whether I was worth her time. "Follow me, Miss…"
"Ava," I said.
She didn't smile. "Follow me, Ava."
The elevator ride was silent except for the hum of the machinery. I caught my reflection again—wet hair sticking out in messy waves, hoodie hanging loose, mascara smudged under my eyes. Next to her perfect posture and tailored clothes, I looked like I'd wandered in from a completely different world.
When the doors opened, my breath caught.
The penthouse wasn't just big—it was stunning. Floor-to-ceiling windows wrapped around the space, showing all of Berlin glittering under the rain. Warm lighting softened the sharp edges of modern furniture, and the air smelled faintly of cedarwood and something sweet.
"This will be your room," the woman said, leading me into a bedroom that looked like it belonged in a magazine—plush cream bedding, a massive wardrobe, and a balcony overlooking the city.
I turned to ask her something, but she was already leaving.
The door clicked shut.
I stood there for a long moment, listening to the quiet hum of the city below.
And then, faintly, I heard voices.
From the hallway.
One of them was Lukas's. The other… I didn't recognize. But I heard a few words clear enough to freeze my blood.
"She's here now," the stranger said. "You know they'll come for her."